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Local worried about effects on Wildlife23rd October 2013 – Crawley News
Report by Chris Ballinger

QUESTIONING: Residents Chris Truckle (left) and Adrian Knowles are concerned at the way the work is being carried out

“UNNECESSARY”: Adrian Knowles took this picture of a JCB clearing shrubbery behind his house in Grattons Drive, which he says was not necessary

CONCERNED residents have raised issues with how work to restore Worth Park to its former glory could affect its history and wildlife.

Crawley Borough Council is in the process of spending 93.4 million on improving the Pound Hill park and Ridley’s Court opposite it.

Trees are being cleared from around Worth Park Lake and a contractor has been appointed to restore the lake and paths by repairing the dam, creating new planting around the edges and clearing overgrown shrubs, in an effort to restore the original Alpine character of the park.

However, nearby residents have expressed worry at the park’s character being lost. They say the extent of clearance and damage could spoil the beauty spot.

Adrian Knowles, of Grattons Drive, is unhappy at the damage caused to nature behind his house. He said: “I generally support the improvement works but I’m interested in maintaining the quality of environment.

“We thought the focus would be on trees and shrubs actually in the lake or significantly overhanging and in danger of falling. However many other good trees and shrubs have been removed.

“I have also been concerned to see the amount of damage created to the park at the various access points by tree felling vehicles.

Sensible
“Unnecessary trees and shrubs have been cleared behind my house, which I believe could have been saved if a sensible access route had been reached.”

Kevin and Sarah Hawkes, also of Grattons Drive, say the clearing of trees and shrubbery could impact on the wildlife living in the park.

Mr Hawkes said: “I have had my worries about how all the works around the lake could affect the wildlife. The trees are home to many birds nesting and other animals.

“This is a historic area. Some of our neighbours remember the park before houses were built here. It was all trees and people would fish at the lake all night.

“The park has long had leisure elements, with tennis courts well used, so I have no problem with new activities and changes. I just hope the park as a whole is preserved for future generations to enjoy”

To carry out all of the work the council pledged £975,000 and was granted £2.42 million by the Heritage Lottery Fund. This project has so far replaced missing Pulhamite stones in the Dutch garden and Italian terrace and the restoration of the fountain will soon be finished.

A council spokesman said residents feedback had been positive, adding: “With any project of this size, tree removal will temporarily create a less appealing landscape. We saw this at Tilgate Park before the dam works and we’re seeing it now at Worth Park.”

POUND HILL: A teenage boy suffered life-threatening injuries after he was hit by a silver Volkswagen Polo car in St Mary’s Drive on Saturday just after 4pm.

The 15-year-old had just got off a single-decker bus before the collision with the car, which was driven by a 19-year-old woman from lfield. She and the bus driver were both unhurt.

Police and an ambulance attended and the boy was airlifted to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, London.He underwent surgery for serious head injuries and has been detained for further treatment.

Halloween and trick or treating can seem like harmless fun, but for many people it can cause fright and distress. The ‘No Trick or Treat’ poster can be displayed prominently in a window and it also includes some helpful tips to make the night easier.

If you’re planning on trick or treating, please be considerate and respect the ‘No Trick or Treat’ posters to help everyone have a happy Halloween.

Crawley Borough Council
Town Hall
The Boulevard
Crawley
West Sussex
RH10 1UZ

Key changes at the park so far this year include the replacement of missing Pulhamite terracotta in the Dutch garden and Italian terrace, while the fountain will soon be restored.

Sticking At It : Hilltop Primary School pupils trying out croquet in Worth Park

Overgrown and diseased trees have been cleared from Worth Park Lake and a contractor has been appointed to restore the lake by repairing the dam. planting around its edges and further clearing overgrown trees from the islands in the middle of the lake.

Work is due to start this week and will continue until the end of the year. Next year there will be further improvements, including new seating and a tree trail.

The grassland by the pond will also be managed as a wildflower meadow to improve biodiversity.

A contractor has been appointed to restore the lower floor of Ridley’s Court.

This is a campaign by the Fire and Rescue Service to address the worrying fact that two thirds of people dying in house fires in West Sussex are over 65 and living alone.

The Who Cares? campaign aims to protect the county’s most vulnerable residents through raising awareness of the life-saving potential of a Home Fire Safety Check and the availability of specialist fire detection and protection equipment for those who may need more than just a standard smoke alarm in their home.

A Home Fire Safety Check is free. It involves a pre-arranged home visit by trained fire service personnel to offer advice on how to make it safer and where appropriate to fit smoke alarms or other specialist detection or protection equipment for free.

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service particularly wants to hear from those who:

• are 65 or over and live alone;
• have a disability or limited mobility;
• use a community alarm or emergency monitoring service like Careline or Lifeline; or
• have difficulty hearing a standard smoke alarm.